Patriot
What is patriotism? It is the love of and devotion to one's country, your ancestry, your homeland and your culture and the support and defence of one's country. So, therefore, a patriot is one who loves, supports, defend and is devoted to his country. This is my country, this is my flag. We are Singapore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzm5o9GwLH8
When I was a young boy, my paternal grandmother would tell me about the then President Yusof Ishak and also the Ministers. The late President Yusof Ishak looked stately and regal in full military uniform as I saw him in our first National Day Parade (NDP) in 1966 and subsequent NDPs.
Those days the parade were simpler but always grand and always held at the City Hall. I grew up and participated in a couple of these parades. It was tough and you will appreciate them even more if you had been through it yourself. There is grandeur and pride. The gun salute and fireworks were also favourites. I have never missed a single NDP since.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2_IZO20ekM
There were times where the NDP were decentralised at satellite towns or switched to the National Stadium which resembled a birthday cake with the floodlights looking like candles and more recently at Marina but my favourite remains the Padang with City Hall in the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5e9AExLsJ4
Those were days where life was simple. People have a common need in life - to survive as a people and nation. We were on the same boat. Sink or swim. There was a common ideal to strive together and people could see the progress and changes which were all good. Today, as each NDP gets grander than the last one with pyrotechnics and laser shows, it reflects the times that has changed.
Are we still on the same page, let alone on the same boat? How far we have come in 48 years? Have we really matured as a people? What is the common goal now that galvanise people? If anything the demarcation among our people has grown wider. Even folks with humble beginnings have forgotten where they have come from. ESM Goh Chok Tong spoke timely with a grim reminder on elitism recently. Are we one people, one nation, one Singapore? Or do people just care about themselves?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piF_2PQSkBM
Can you still be counted?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_a622n3v2I
This year, it is really good that Hari Raya is a day before National Day followed by the weekend. Like most people, I have been stressed, tired and needed a good break for play and actually more rest, hopefully more sleep. This means that lots of Singaporeans are going away taking the opportunity of the long weekend. Surely, every plane or bus going to Bangkok and Malaysia are fully booked and a big jam is expected at the Causeway even for those driving North and hotels fully booked.
I have been stuck at Causeway traffic before and I just do not like it. So besides not missing a single NDP since its inception, I have never travelled out during the special day. There is nothing wrong for you to go away. Maybe Singapore is too small or stressful and you need bigger space or more time for holidays.
It is precisely because of this that I am staying put. You will see half of Singapore in Malaysia or Thailand and elsewhere. It will become less crowded here for a few days in terms of traffic or going about anywhere for food or other activities. It is good to celebrate and more so to celebrate Hari Raya and National Day one after another.
I wish all my Muslim friends and readers Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! Where else in the world can you find Hari Raya, National Day and the Hungry Ghost Festival kicking off one after another? Celebrate this diversity! We can be different and yet be one. Will you stand up for Singapore?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wk51lfLfIQ
For those who are travelling, be a good Singaporean. I spoke about patriotism earlier because it is all good to put up national flags outside your window, fly one from your car for décor, paint your face red and white to celebrate. Amidst all the pomp and pageantry, what lies in us and among us? Do we close ranks when it matters? What does it mean to be Singaporean? When you travel for business or pleasure, you being a Singaporean is like an ambassador. Everyone is watching you or engaging you. They pick your brains, pick your signals and they detect if you are arrogant, rude or downright repugnant or are you a fine, cultured refined people.
You are therefore, the Singapore Ambassador. You ought to be held in esteem by the folks you come into contact. This is the same as being proud of your family and family name or everything you say or do carried your name, so it had better be good. This is also patriotism. As in your personal life, there is a tendency for Singaporeans to focus on what we do not have rather than be thankful for what we have.
We are quickly turning 48 and they say that once you reached 40 it is downhill all the way. That was 8 years ago. No country is perfect. We have our grievances. There will be people who fall through the cracks. I have, many times. I did not get the best out of our education system, I did not benefit from tax rebates for having children, no help for a wife who stopped work, nothing on housing, worse, I had much trouble with the latter. I still remain a proud Singaporean. Let us sing a song for Singapore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGY5ff831B8
I notice that our comic satire on politics which was at least classy in the past has turned into all kinds of profanities in social media which is sad. I read that some survey suggested that half of Singaporeans would emigrate if they have a choice. I am not sure if this is true. Is the grass greener elsewhere?
I do not think so even when this place is getting tougher but this is home, truly. Nothing will change that. No matter what. Occasionally, I would ask fellow Singaporeans if they will defend this country with their lives. So far it has been a resounding yes! This is where we belong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2we95TgqmAk
My blood is red and white. The last few drops will be in the shape of a crescent moon and five stars. The love of your country like the love for your children and parents must be unconditional. This is home truly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7g-PUjbusQ
What do you see?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKAMTOx0nNw
Or are you just fair weather friends who milk the system like you would a cow and go wooh ho-oh oh. If you do, I'll do a Stephen Chow on you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7qxHTWtZN8
Or should we just simply be like this? Power! I like!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qrFx66fPyPg
I think we should just take the pledge and mean every word said.
By the way, which is your favourite song?
Happy Birthday Singapore! May all your dreams come true!
Here is wishing that Singapore continues to be blessed, thrives, prospers and well loved by the world. That we will be economically strong, politically truly "inclusive" where society is vibrant and empathetic and the family unit is strong so that we can go on to conquer the world in even more diverse fields. Here is wishing Singapore "No Horse Run"!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzm5o9GwLH8
When I was a young boy, my paternal grandmother would tell me about the then President Yusof Ishak and also the Ministers. The late President Yusof Ishak looked stately and regal in full military uniform as I saw him in our first National Day Parade (NDP) in 1966 and subsequent NDPs.
Those days the parade were simpler but always grand and always held at the City Hall. I grew up and participated in a couple of these parades. It was tough and you will appreciate them even more if you had been through it yourself. There is grandeur and pride. The gun salute and fireworks were also favourites. I have never missed a single NDP since.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2_IZO20ekM
There were times where the NDP were decentralised at satellite towns or switched to the National Stadium which resembled a birthday cake with the floodlights looking like candles and more recently at Marina but my favourite remains the Padang with City Hall in the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5e9AExLsJ4
Those were days where life was simple. People have a common need in life - to survive as a people and nation. We were on the same boat. Sink or swim. There was a common ideal to strive together and people could see the progress and changes which were all good. Today, as each NDP gets grander than the last one with pyrotechnics and laser shows, it reflects the times that has changed.
Are we still on the same page, let alone on the same boat? How far we have come in 48 years? Have we really matured as a people? What is the common goal now that galvanise people? If anything the demarcation among our people has grown wider. Even folks with humble beginnings have forgotten where they have come from. ESM Goh Chok Tong spoke timely with a grim reminder on elitism recently. Are we one people, one nation, one Singapore? Or do people just care about themselves?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piF_2PQSkBM
Can you still be counted?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_a622n3v2I
This year, it is really good that Hari Raya is a day before National Day followed by the weekend. Like most people, I have been stressed, tired and needed a good break for play and actually more rest, hopefully more sleep. This means that lots of Singaporeans are going away taking the opportunity of the long weekend. Surely, every plane or bus going to Bangkok and Malaysia are fully booked and a big jam is expected at the Causeway even for those driving North and hotels fully booked.
I have been stuck at Causeway traffic before and I just do not like it. So besides not missing a single NDP since its inception, I have never travelled out during the special day. There is nothing wrong for you to go away. Maybe Singapore is too small or stressful and you need bigger space or more time for holidays.
It is precisely because of this that I am staying put. You will see half of Singapore in Malaysia or Thailand and elsewhere. It will become less crowded here for a few days in terms of traffic or going about anywhere for food or other activities. It is good to celebrate and more so to celebrate Hari Raya and National Day one after another.
I wish all my Muslim friends and readers Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! Where else in the world can you find Hari Raya, National Day and the Hungry Ghost Festival kicking off one after another? Celebrate this diversity! We can be different and yet be one. Will you stand up for Singapore?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wk51lfLfIQ
For those who are travelling, be a good Singaporean. I spoke about patriotism earlier because it is all good to put up national flags outside your window, fly one from your car for décor, paint your face red and white to celebrate. Amidst all the pomp and pageantry, what lies in us and among us? Do we close ranks when it matters? What does it mean to be Singaporean? When you travel for business or pleasure, you being a Singaporean is like an ambassador. Everyone is watching you or engaging you. They pick your brains, pick your signals and they detect if you are arrogant, rude or downright repugnant or are you a fine, cultured refined people.
You are therefore, the Singapore Ambassador. You ought to be held in esteem by the folks you come into contact. This is the same as being proud of your family and family name or everything you say or do carried your name, so it had better be good. This is also patriotism. As in your personal life, there is a tendency for Singaporeans to focus on what we do not have rather than be thankful for what we have.
We are quickly turning 48 and they say that once you reached 40 it is downhill all the way. That was 8 years ago. No country is perfect. We have our grievances. There will be people who fall through the cracks. I have, many times. I did not get the best out of our education system, I did not benefit from tax rebates for having children, no help for a wife who stopped work, nothing on housing, worse, I had much trouble with the latter. I still remain a proud Singaporean. Let us sing a song for Singapore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGY5ff831B8
I notice that our comic satire on politics which was at least classy in the past has turned into all kinds of profanities in social media which is sad. I read that some survey suggested that half of Singaporeans would emigrate if they have a choice. I am not sure if this is true. Is the grass greener elsewhere?
I do not think so even when this place is getting tougher but this is home, truly. Nothing will change that. No matter what. Occasionally, I would ask fellow Singaporeans if they will defend this country with their lives. So far it has been a resounding yes! This is where we belong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2we95TgqmAk
My blood is red and white. The last few drops will be in the shape of a crescent moon and five stars. The love of your country like the love for your children and parents must be unconditional. This is home truly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7g-PUjbusQ
What do you see?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKAMTOx0nNw
Or are you just fair weather friends who milk the system like you would a cow and go wooh ho-oh oh. If you do, I'll do a Stephen Chow on you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7qxHTWtZN8
Or should we just simply be like this? Power! I like!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qrFx66fPyPg
I think we should just take the pledge and mean every word said.
By the way, which is your favourite song?
Happy Birthday Singapore! May all your dreams come true!
Here is wishing that Singapore continues to be blessed, thrives, prospers and well loved by the world. That we will be economically strong, politically truly "inclusive" where society is vibrant and empathetic and the family unit is strong so that we can go on to conquer the world in even more diverse fields. Here is wishing Singapore "No Horse Run"!
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